Galvanic belt



(No Model.)

H. M. BBIDLER.

GALVANIG BELT'. No. 335,417. Patented Feb. 2, 1886.

ll ll Il '5,151,512 lIlllI UNITED STATES ATENT EEICE.a

HENRY M. BEIDLER, OF TEXARKAA, ARKANSAS.

GALVANIC BELT.

SPECIECATION forming part of 4Letters Patent No. 335,417, dated February 2,1886.

Application tiled Decfmber 16, 1.284.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY M. BELDLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Texarkana, in the county of Miller and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Galvanic Belts; and I do declare the following to be a full, clar, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved device for applying electric currents to the animal body for therapeutic purposes, its object being to facilitate the application of currents in any desired direction through the body'.

The improvement may be fully understood from the following particular description7 in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an inside view of an extended body-belt provided with electric appliances according to my invention. Fig. 2 is an edgewise view of the belt with its ends clasped together. Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the battery detached. Fig. 4 is an edgewise view of the same. Fig. 5 is a diametric sect'ton of the ,battery. Fig. 6 is a perspective view or the adjustable electrode.

The battery A, I construct in the form of a pad, and its voltaic elements are inclosed by a flat case, the two parts a and a of which tit together substantially like the two parts of a blacking-box. The part a is formed of an im pervious nonconducting materialsuch as hard rubber or Celluloid-and the part a is made of sheet metal-preferably copper-and is corrugated, for the purpose of gaining surface within given superficial limits. Then these two parts are pnt together, as shown in Fig. 5, they inclose between them the voltaic elements of which z is a zinc plate next to the non-conducting part a of the casing, and c is a copper plate next to the copper or conduct4 ing side a of said casing. Between these two plates z and c is an absorbent disk, f, preferablyof felt, though any other non-conducting or semi-conducting absorbent material would answer, and it should be in contact with both of the plates between which it lies. The non- Serial No. 172,339. (No model.)

l conducting part a of the casing has attached to its inner surface one end of a metallic spring, s, the other end of which bears against the zinc plate a, and the conducting part c has attached to its innersurt'ace, preferably, a metallic spring, s', which presses against the lcopper plate c, for the purpose of making a good electrical connection, though the metal lic part of the casing might come in direct contact with the copper plate for the same purpose.

On the back of the nonconducting part ais riveted a bracket or slide, d, of metal, and the rivets which secure it at one end serve also to hold the spring s, so that metallic connect-ion is established between the bracket and spring. The belt B, which may be made of leather or any other suitable material, passes through the bracket or slide d loosely, so that the battery may be slid along to any desired position upon said belt.

The letter E indicates an adjustable electrode, which also slides upon the belt. This electrode comprises two open-work metallic plates, e and e', which are hinged together, and are arranged upon the inner surface ot the belt, so that they will come in contact with the body to which the belt is applied. They are held upon the belt by means of metallic brackets or slides, similar to that of the battery, and the bracket of the battery is connected by a covered wire, w, or other flexible conductor with the bracket of one portion of the adjustable electrode.

In orderto charge the battery,l saturate the absorbent disk f, between the zinc and copper plates, with an acidulated liquid-say acetic acid or vinegarand it is then ready for use.

It will be understood that the conducting or copper part a of the batterycasing serves as an electrode connected with the voltaic elements, and comes in direct contact with abody to which the belt is applied, and when the metallic part and the other adjustable electrode are in contact with the body at different points the current of electricity from the battery will flow from its copper part or wall through the body to the other electrode, and thence over the wire w to the bracket and opposite pole of the battery.

The battery and the electrode E, both being capable of sliding on the belt, may be adj usted roo to any relative positions,in order to cause electric currents to pass through the body in any desired direction.

The belt may be of any desired size, and may be applied to the head or limbs,as well as the trunk of the body. l

A knowledge of the therapeutic effects of electric currents is now so widely spread that it is unnecessary to here enumerate the various diseases for the cure or alleviation of which my invention may be used. Suffice it to say that for all ailments in which treatment by constant electric currents is indicated it may be convenient-ly applied with salutary results.

I wish it to be understood that I do not conline myself to any particular pair of voltaicv elements or exciting-fluid in the interior of the battery, it being only necessary that one of the battery-poles shall be connected with the metallic part or bodyelectrode ofthe casing and the other pole shall be connected with the adjustable electrode. I prefer to make this adjustable electrode of two jointed openwork plates,` as shown; but a single plain-surfaced metallic plate might be used.

Having now described my invention, and explained the manner ofnsing the same, I claiml. The combinatomwith the battery inclosed in a casing which is adjustable upon a belt and one of the walls of which forms a body-electrode, of the adjustable opposite electrode mounted upon the same belt and electrically connected with the pole of the battery opposite that which is connected with its said bodyelectrode, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with abattery inclosed in a iiat casing adjustable upon a belt, as described, and having one of its side Walls formed of non-conducting material and the other of corrugated sheet metal forming a body-electrode, of the flexible electrode mounted upon the same belt and connected with the battery, as set forth. v

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.v

HENRY M. BEIDLER.

Wit nesscs:

XV. B. HALE.

HARRY Y. Davis. 

